At the beginning of the third millennium concepts of spirituality
are undergoing rapid transformation. While still closely connected
to Christian values and beliefs, they are now also applied cross-culturally
and used in interfaith and secular contexts. Voices around the globe
affirm the urgent need for greater spiritual well-being, yet it
is not clear how this can best be achieved or even what it means.
The development of a wholesome spirituality relating to profound
personal and social transformations may well be the most urgent
task humanity has to address today.

In this book leading scholars
of theology and religion explore the complex dynamics of different
spiritual beliefs and practices and their effects on contemporary
society:

Tradition and Change: Critical perspectives, drawn from the humanities and social sciences, are here applied to Christian spirituality. Searching questions are asked about the extent to which Christianity has the resources the meet the spiritual challenges of western society in the new millennium.

Health and Education: Essays explore the contemporary “turn to life” in religions; the biological basis of spiritual awareness; spirituality and healing in a scientific age; the spiritual development of children in schools, and that of students in higher education.

Culture and Politics: The growing diversity of postmodern approaches to spirituality in contemporary culture is often linked to the quest for an integrated and socially-conscious spirituality. This presents a challenge to the religious status quo, but also attests to the persistence of the human quest for spiritual relevance and authenticity

Hardback ISBN:

978-1-902210-65-0

Hardback Price:

£45.00 / $65.00

Release Date:

May 2001

Page Extent / Format:

292 pp. / 229 x 152 mm

Illustrated:

No

Acknowledgments
List of Contributors

1 Introduction: Spirituality, Society, and
the Millennium – Wasteland, Wilderness, or New Vision? Ursula King
Part I Spirituality, Tradition and Change 2 Interpreting Texts and Traditions Philip Sheldrake